Delays with an indie/specialist - part of the deal?
Discussion
For the third time running, the specialist we use for one of our cars has let us down with respect to the vehicle being ready at the promised time.
In each case, the work we've asked for has been straightforward and nothing else has needed doing but overruns/additional work on other customers vehicles seem to be impacting their ability to deliver in line with expectations. Previously it's been a case of work over running until the following morning, but this time it's taking them a full extra day... So, with no courtesy car from them, it looks like I now need to assume that I'll be without the car for two days each time it goes in for 1-2 hours worth of work (which is obviously inconvenient).
These chaps work out much cheaper than the main dealer: do I just need to chill and accept that such delays are part and parcel of dealing with an indie - or is it simply not acceptable?
In each case, the work we've asked for has been straightforward and nothing else has needed doing but overruns/additional work on other customers vehicles seem to be impacting their ability to deliver in line with expectations. Previously it's been a case of work over running until the following morning, but this time it's taking them a full extra day... So, with no courtesy car from them, it looks like I now need to assume that I'll be without the car for two days each time it goes in for 1-2 hours worth of work (which is obviously inconvenient).
These chaps work out much cheaper than the main dealer: do I just need to chill and accept that such delays are part and parcel of dealing with an indie - or is it simply not acceptable?
LooneyTunes said:
These chaps work out much cheaper than the main dealer: do I just need to chill and accept that such delays are part and parcel of dealing with an indie - or is it simply not acceptable?
IME yes. I now try to build it into my expectations. I have a very good and almost too cheap specialist I take my car to - but I learnt a long time ago to build in plenty of time for the work to be done.....for the amount I'm saving against main dealer rates I could buy a banger off ebay or rent something in the meantime.I know when I owned my classic MINI it was always the case with the specialist I used. Top guy and knew his stuff but was always late on expected lead times. Wouldn't have taken my car elsewhere though so I had to accept it!
As already stated in another post, a lot of the time he was waiting on late parts from suppliers.
Edited for crap grammar.
As already stated in another post, a lot of the time he was waiting on late parts from suppliers.
Edited for crap grammar.
Edited by Cooper500 on Friday 8th April 13:00
Take the point regarding parts (got used to this with classics), but would people's views change if the garage said already had the parts (having looked at what needed to be done and ordering in at time of previous visit)? Indeed, on each occasion they've blamed over runs on other vehicles for the delays.
LooneyTunes said:
Take the point regarding parts (got used to this with classics), but would people's views change if the garage said already had the parts (having looked at what needed to be done and ordering in at time of previous visit)? Indeed, on each occasion they've blamed over runs on other vehicles for the delays.
My views wouldn't change from experience. Again the specialist I used was a team of 2 at best I think so any delay with another vehicle knocked things along. I did get frustrated when I was having an engine rebuild and it took forever to complete but once I got the car back it was immaculate so that's why I think it's worth the wait. Just one of those things - my local indie is very slack with getting stuff ready on time - however, he's the same about giving me the bill - I think the record so far is 2 months after I collected the car!
I just ensure I have arrangement in place so any delays don't leave me without a working car to use.
I just ensure I have arrangement in place so any delays don't leave me without a working car to use.
Why not vote with feet?
Doesn't sound like great service and since it sounds like routine work they were doing and they haven't opened up a can of worms then parts availability isn't an excuse in my opinion.
I'm fed up today that my Elise is going to be in the shop over the weekend (typical when the sun is shining) but then again I changed my appointment with the garage twice at relatively short notice so I can't complain.
I don't think your problems can be divided Indie/Main Dealer.
Doesn't sound like great service and since it sounds like routine work they were doing and they haven't opened up a can of worms then parts availability isn't an excuse in my opinion.
I'm fed up today that my Elise is going to be in the shop over the weekend (typical when the sun is shining) but then again I changed my appointment with the garage twice at relatively short notice so I can't complain.
I don't think your problems can be divided Indie/Main Dealer.
Stitch said:
Why not vote with feet?
Tempted... but just trying to see if my expectations are out of line with other people (if they are, I'll just end up in the same boat next time). Not to mention the fact that there aren't any others close by and the work that these guys does is good.Just frustrating when people commit to timeframes they then can't meet.
steve singh said:
My indy service is always spot on (Porsche) - cars ready to the right quality and time. Found that with our BMW M specialist too.
What marque does your specialist cover? Is it more mainstream?
Regular BMWs mainly... although they're happy to work on M cars. So a little more mainstream, but not excessively so.What marque does your specialist cover? Is it more mainstream?
LooneyTunes said:
steve singh said:
My indy service is always spot on (Porsche) - cars ready to the right quality and time. Found that with our BMW M specialist too.
What marque does your specialist cover? Is it more mainstream?
Regular BMWs mainly... although they're happy to work on M cars. So a little more mainstream, but not excessively so.What marque does your specialist cover? Is it more mainstream?
LooneyTunes said:
Stitch said:
Why not vote with feet?
Tempted... but just trying to see if my expectations are out of line with other people (if they are, I'll just end up in the same boat next time). Not to mention the fact that there aren't any others close by and the work that these guys does is good.Just frustrating when people commit to timeframes they then can't meet.
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